Setting Our Minds on the Things of the Spirit

“For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace…”
(Romans 8:5-6)

For me, that means not allowing my mind to go to the negative aspects in life or in situations, you know, the glass half-empty thinking instead of seeing the half that’s full. It can be easy to do, especially in the midst of difficulty or even just in the mundane of everyday life.

So how do we set our minds on the things of the Spirit?

We do so by fixing our eyes on Christ, and reminding ourselves who God is — sovereign, in control, all-knowing, and for us not against us. We also must remind ourselves that God is ultimately using everything in our lives — the good, the bad and even the mundane — to make us more like Jesus in our speech, attitudes and actions. Even when our feelings and circumstances don’t line up with God’s truth and promises, this helps us experience God’s peace and hope.

The War We Fight

As believers we constantly battle our flesh, which is hostile to the things of God (Romans 8:7). When that bad attitude surfaces or we find we have bitterness or wounds in our hearts, it’s easy to dwell on the pain instead of setting our eyes on Christ.

Continually we must remind ourselves that God is refining us and allowing these things to surface. He wants to remove all the impurities from the precious gold within us, but this often means we come face-to-face with whatever He is working out of us.

Our Help at All Times

As God grows you to be more like His Son, keep your eyes fixed on Him, knowing that He is always helping you by His Holy Spirit, giving you His strength, comfort and guidance in all things. Know that if you ask, He will provide the wisdom and grace you need according to His perfect will.

“…the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.“
(Romans 8:26-27)